Edgar Morris and his family

Today's post is about Edgar Morris and his connection to the Hiley family, and includes contributions from his family to 'An Edwardian Album' featured in the last post. Thanks once again to Ray White for permission to use these excerpts.

Betsy Hannah Hiley was one of the eleven children of Charles and Betty (nee Harrison) Hiley. Charles and Betty have already featured in a number of posts in this Blog. You can use the 'Search This Blog' feature to find references to them.

Betsy Hannah was born in Walsden in 1862 and married Frank Morris in 1888. Eleven years previously Betsy Hannah's older sister Alice Ann had married Frank's brother George Richard, a Weaver. Betsy Hannah and Frank had three children - Sam (b 1889), Edgar (b 1893) and Aquilla (b 1898). Sam died at the age of only 3.

At the time of the 1911 census, Edgar and his family were living at 134 Bacup Road, Todmorden. Frank was a Foreman at the Stoneswood Picker Works and Edgar worked there as well as an Apprentice Picker Maker.

Edgar joined the 2nd/6th Lancashire Fusiliers in September 1914 and went with them on training to Southport and Tunbridge Wells serving as a cook in the sergeant’s mess. Whilst on leave in January 1916 he married Martha Agnes Williams from 3 Bridge End Buildings, Shade, Todmorden. Following illness Edgar was in hospital for about a month and died in Tunbridge Wells on 20th March 1916. The press report referred to the illness as double pneumonia resulting in a weak heart. Edgar was actively connected with the Walsden Wesleyan Sunday School and Church where he was assistant organist. 

Edgar Morris
The District News 31 March 1916

Newspaper image © The British Library Board. All rights reserved. 

With thanks to The British Newspaper Archive 

(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

The contributions to 'An Edwardian Album' below are from Edgar, his wife Martha Agnes, Martha Agnes's parents John James and Mary Alice Williams, and her sister Edith.

Whoever you are, be noble
  Whatever you do, do well
Whenever you speak, speak gently
  Give joy where ever you dwell
Pte Edgar Morris - Nov 2/1915

It’s a very good world to live in
  To spend, or to lend, or to give in
But to beg or to borrow or get a man’s own
  It’s the very worst world that ever was known
M A Williams - Nov 2/1915

Make new friends but keep the old

  One is silver the other is gold
Brows may wrinkle hair turn grey
  True friendship never knows decay
J J Williams - Nov 2/1915

True gentleness is in the heart
  No matter how you’re dressed
It is the things you say and do
  That show what you are at best.
Mrs Williams - Nov 2/1915

A diamond may glitter
  And flash like a star
But the smile of a friend
  Is brighter by far
Edith Williams - Nov 2 1915

…courtesy of The White Files at whitefiles.org/aed

Edgar was buried at Mankinholes Wesleyan Church graveyard along with his parents and Sam. His grandparents Charles and Betty and other family members are buried in the neighbouring grave.